Sometimes our beliefs lead us to do things others may think our crazy. But we serve a big God, who did for us something completely unexpected. Today we hear the story of four friends who did whatever they needed to do to get their friend to Jesus.
8.20.17- How and Why we Worship #5- Blessing/Benediction/Sending- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
The last part of the worship service is the sending. Where God pronounces a blessing over His people and sends them out to participate in the restoration of all things.
8.13.17 How and Why we Worship #4 -Communion- Pastor Jake Ritzema
Throughout the Bible, God commands his people to remember what he has done using a meal. In the Old Testament, the Israelites celebrated the Passover meal as a way to remember the God who had delivered them from Egypt. Jesus later transformed that Passover meal, by saying that he was the true passover lamb. He then instructed believers to continue to celebrate this Last Supper as a testimony to his death and resurrection. Today we study how that meal nourishes us Spiritually as his people.
8.6.17. How and Why we Worship #3 The Word of God-Pastor Jake Ritzema
This week we explore the centrality of God's word in our worship. Since he is the one who calls us, and saves us, it is also His Word that guides us.
7-30-17 How and Why we Worship #2- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
As we continue to explore How and Why of our Worship, today we learn about the Prayer of Confession and the Assurance that follows. We confess our sins, because we believe that we all have sinned and fallen short. And that we all need Jesus to save us. The confession and assurance shows us both of these things.
7-23-17 Missionary Visit- Scott and Lisa Neumann
Scott and Lisa Neumann are with us this morning to share about the work they are doing in Lithuania.
7.16.17 How and Why we Worship #1 Call to Worship-Pastor Eric Schlukebir
Worship is about assigning worth to someone or something. As humans, we are created to worship. We all worship something, or someone. The question before us for the rest of summer is whether we will choose to worship the true and living God. We are also going to show how true worship, aligns our hearts and minds towards God, but also pushes us forward towards him. In order to learn about worship, we are going to be doing a series using the different aspects of our corporate worship service. Today, we start by learning about the Call to Worship.
7.9.17 Micah Mandate #3 Do Justice- Pastor Jake Ritzema
“It’s not fair!” cries a four year old when they didn’t get a toy and their sister did. “It’s not fair” cries a thirty year old when they lose their factory job that was sent overseas. All of us have had those times when life doesn’t seem fair. Then image what it is like when, because of circumstances beyond your control, you find yourself homeless, or you find yourself bound in a wheelchair, or you find yourself born with a skin color or heritage that automatically places you in minority status in the country you are living in.
How often in those situation are you looking for someone to champion your cause or someone to assist you with all the obstacles you find in your way, or obstacles others intentionally place in your way because of your situation. “It’s not fair!” you cry. All you are seeking is justice but all you receive everywhere you turn is injustice from those in power or who power over you.
Unfortunately things haven’t changed since the days of Micah the prophet thousands of years ago. What can be done? Come Sunday as we discuss this very thought provoking subject of justice as it applies to our own modern situation and to us individually. See you on the 9 th of July.
7.2.17 De Immigrant
July 4 th is right around the corner. Independence Day! Freedom! Our country is now 241 years old – the United States of America, a country that, except for our Native Americans was founded, established and populated by immigrants.
America, such a land of opportunity and freedom, a place so many in the world long for and yet there is a better land of freedom and opportunity, a kingdom of freedom and joy, it is the Kingdom of God. Who can become a citizen of that country?
The Apostle Paul says foreign and strangers can. How do you become a citizen of such a country? Join us this holiday weekend, Sunday, July 2 at 10 a.m. and we will find out together.
6.25.17 Micah Mandate #2 Walk Humbly-Pastor Eric Schlukebir
The second part of Micah 6:8 that we will explore is the command to walk humbly with God. It's something we first see in the garden of Eden, and continues to be a metaphor for our relationship with God throughout the Old Testament. Today, we are going to learn about King Hezekiah, one of the few kings of Israel who were said to have "walked in the ways of David," which also means walking with God.
6.17.17 Micah Mandate- Love Lovingkindness-Pastor Eric Schlukebir
Micah 6:8 says : What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Today we start a new series looking at this summary of our covenant responsibilities to God and others, starting with the second command, to love mercy.
6.04.17 The Sending Spirit-Pastor Eric Schlukebir
Today was Pentecost Sunday, and so we are remembering and celebrating when Spirit first came at Pentecost. The disciples were waiting, but when the Spirit came, it sent them out into the world, where those first Christians boldly proclaimed the good news about Jesus. And from this day in Jerusalem, the gospel spread to the ends of the earth.
5.28.17 Facing the Storms- Pastor Jake Ritzema
We end our Overwhelmed series with a look at how we respond to some of the big storms that we face in our life.
5-21-17- Overwhelmed- Addiction- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
We continue our overwhelmed series by looking at Addiction. While most of us think about addiction as primarily relating to drugs and alcohol and other obviously destructive behaviors, we all struggle with addictions in some ways. Today we see how the gospel brings freedom.
5.7.17 Overwhelmed- Depression- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
Depression is something that if you don't suffer from, likely you know someone who does. Today we look at the effects of depression on us, and also explore some Biblical truths to help us have hope in the midst of Depression.
4.30.17 Overwhelmed-Shame-Pastor Jake Ritzema
Shame, is the idea that we are not enough. That something deep inside of us that believes if you really knew me you wouldn't love me. Different than guilt, which says, "I did something bad," shame says "I AM bad." But the gospel of Jesus is that he knows us more deeply than anyone ever could, AND he went all the way to the cross to show us how much he loves us and wants to be with us.
4.23.17 Overwhelmed-Stressed Out- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
Americans today say they are experiencing stress at rates that we have never experienced before. Technology, while making some things easier, seems to be adding to the stress that we all face everyday. In this intro message for our overwhelmed series, we begin to see how we can experience the peace that God offers through Jesus Christ
4-16-17 Easter- Giving up Death- Pastor Jake Ritzema
As followers of Jesus, we know that we don't even have to fear death. Because our Savior has risen from the dead. We celebrate his resurrection today.
4-9 Giving up Popularity- Pastor Jake Ritzema
Image isn't everything. Following Jesus means giving up a lot of things, and one of them can be the need to be popular.
4-2-17 Giving up our Lives-Pastor Eric Schlukebir
God shows us in the book of Ezekiel that he can give life, even to a dead, dried up valley of bones. But real life only comes when the Spirit fills us.